Punched my left turn ticket

Inexperienced rider, 1,500 miles total on an '84 BMW R65. I was riding in the city after dark, approaching a 4-way intersection traveling at 25 mph in 2nd gear. I observed a car coming the opposite direction waiting to turn left across my path of travel. I covered the brake, but he pulled out directly in front of me. I tried to initiate an emergency stop, but realized I would t-bone the oncoming vehicle if I didn't increase brake pressure. This caused the front wheel to lock up and I low sided on the right side, coming to rest in the intersection. I deadlifted the bike (never done that before!) and met the driver off to the side. He admitted fault and we exchanged contact and insurance information. "I didn't see you."

At least you were properly dressed to avoid serious injury.
I use a headlight modulator, but have no proof that it helps or hinders my safety. I also wear a white helmet and high-viz Aerostich RC suit.

You said that he was waiting to turn ...
What was he waiting for?

Was another vehicle traveling just in front of you that may have impeded the driver's ability to see you?

At least you were properly dressed to avoid serious injury.
I use a headlight modulator, but have no proof that it helps or hinders my safety. I also wear a white helmet and high-viz Aerostich RC suit.

You said that he was waiting to turn ...
What was he waiting for?

Was another vehicle traveling just in front of you that may have impeded the driver's ability to see you?

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There was a van traveling in front of me at some distance, at least 5-10 car lengths. I saw him, so there's no reason he should not have seen me. I think he was trying to hot dog and flip a left turn the moment the van left the intersection. I spoke to him today and he indicated that his insurance company State Farm thinks it wasn't his fault because I was able to keep my bike from T-boning him! I filed a claim with State Farm today, hoping they pay up. I'm only looking for $300-$500 so I can buy some new ebay parts and rattle can the rest! I could take it to Bob's BMW and get a hefty dealer estimate.

I had this EXACT thing happen, at least crash wise. Difference being the driver said she saw me and thought she had time to make it. I was crossing a huge patch of sopping wet leaves and never had a chance. Went down the same way, cant believe I didnt impact the car.

Verdict: Even though her dumbass told the cop "I saw him and went ahead anyways" it was 100% liability on my end because as far as the police and insurance companies were concerned it was a one vehicle accident. The cop told me if I had hit her it likely would have been her that was liable-- but then again, I couldve died, broken a leg, etc.

COMPLETE AND TOTAL BULLSHIT on all accounts.

Nothing came of it. I got screwed. Shes going to hell

Ride on!

EDIT:

I believe if you are to have any luck with this, the other driver will have to understand the situation, actually BE A GOOD PERSON and insist liability on his end. Or, simply ask him for the money that he knows he owes to you. $300-500 is alot to some...installments, whatever. Hopefully there are good people out there somewhere....

Very glad you made it out again and will live to ride again. It a situation like this, I now try to flash my highbeam like a strobe light 2-3 times. Havent been killed by an idiot yet, so I guess its working haha

I had this EXACT thing happen, at least crash wise. Difference being the driver said she saw me and thought she had time to make it. I was crossing a huge patch of sopping wet leaves and never had a chance. Went down the same way, cant believe I didnt impact the car.

Verdict: Even though her dumbass told the cop "I saw him and went ahead anyways" it was 100% liability on my end because as far as the police and insurance companies were concerned it was a one vehicle accident. The cop told me if I had hit her it likely would have been her that was liable-- but then again, I couldve died, broken a leg, etc.

COMPLETE AND TOTAL BULLSHIT on all accounts.

Nothing came of it. I got screwed. Shes going to hell

Ride on!

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What if this happens in a car? Say the other driver crosses into your lane and you either swerve off the road or get hit head on. Is that also a one car accident?!

Call a motorcycle attorney from a TV commercial. Those guys will only bother with it if they will make money (and they won't if you don't). Having an attorney involved will make State Farm pull their head out of their ass.

It's a great video once you can get over the fact that everyone is driving on the wrong side of the damn road

Also, OP, keep pushing against the cager's insurance company. Whether you could've saved it or not, the car driver failed to yield.

Good choice on the gear, and glad you're OK.

And zippy is right--some people just don't pay attention. I've gotten SMIDSY'd on a clear day driving a white 10-ton delivery truck with the headlights on. ABS and modern brakes literally saved the passenger's life.

I'm getting back into motorcycling and pick up my bike this weekend. I've always worn protective gear, but since my last bike, there has been a lot of the high viz stuff hitting the market. That's what I'm getting for all my gear this time around. It never ceases to amaze me at the people that still wear black from head to toe. I see guys commuting to work with me in the morning (5 to 530 am). Once they pass me and get a few car lengths away, they just vanish. That single red light on the back isn't worth a whole lot.

Whether or not the driver at fault saw you is of no consequence, they pulled in front of you against your right-of-way.
If you get less than what you want from his insurance company, take your bike to a BMW dealer and let them price it up, they will write up a bill for 3 grand most likely. Then you can say "Hey, how about half of that? How's my first demand sound now, you cheap asshats?"
And in the future, when crossing intersections, stay far behind the car in front of you, or far enough left that you can see the car that may be about to turn into you to beat the car behind you: the only other thing they are seeing.
I do this thing whenever people start "leading" to far out in the intersection-I swerve towards them so I am facing them, flash lights, tap the horn, sometimes wave if it really looks like they are not seeing me, or if they just seem like the kind of dicks that pull that move in the hopes that oncoming traffic stops to let them through. Which is every intersection all day everyday around Boston.

I'm getting back into motorcycling and pick up my bike this weekend. I've always worn protective gear, but since my last bike, there has been a lot of the high viz stuff hitting the market. That's what I'm getting for all my gear this time around. It never ceases to amaze me at the people that still wear black from head to toe. I see guys commuting to work with me in the morning (5 to 530 am). Once they pass me and get a few car lengths away, they just vanish. That single red light on the back isn't worth a whole lot.

My .025 cent

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Not that I can say it actually WORKS given present circumstances, but the 3M retroreflective striping tape (silver 2" and black 1/4") is tits when it comes to visibility. I can't believe how bright the stuff is in headlights, which is why I couldn't believe he failed to see me.

"Were you pulling out of that gas station?" Good guess! Want to play again?!